Everyone likes having sex and reaching orgasm, whether it be by themselves or with a partner. There’s even scientific evidence to support the fact that frequent climaxes can significantly improve a person’s health. So, why then are there are many people talking about sex addiction like it’s a bad thing?
Celebrities are suddenly coming out of the woodwork claiming that their personal and/or professional lives have been negatively affected by an uncontrollable urge to get it on. As a sexually active adult living in the modern world, it’s important to know what you’re up against. Sex addiction is very real and it has the power to reduce your quality of life in a very way.
Unfortunately, beating sex addiction isn’t always easy, especially for men and women who struggle to find happiness, fulfillment and intimacy within their relationships. On the bright side, something being difficult does not make it impossible.
While millions of people fight against these unhealthy compulsions to no avail, real help is available if you know where to find it. For starters, however, one must honestly consider their behaviors, beliefs and perspectives a they pertain to healthy sex. Someone who thinks addictive personality traits are normal might not ever see the writing on the wall.
What Is Sex Addiction?
An addiction to sexual activity seems like something we all share but it’s not. Humanity has loved making love for so long that we now have countless historical relics illustrating mankind’s obsession with the O-face. However, sexual addiction is something far more sinister and it’s more common than you think. Here’s how the best dictionaries define it:

“a psychological condition that’s categorized by persistent thoughts of erotica, usually to the point of being disruptive to a person’s life, their ability to hold down a job, maintain healthy relationships and/or fulfill daily goals”
This mind-body handicap cannot typically be changed without intense therapeutic efforts such as counseling and lifestyle changes. It also goes by the name “hypersexuality” in some circles but that word is being slowly replaced by more politically correct terminology such as sexual dependency and compulsive sexual behavior.
The Most Common Symptoms
It’s virtually impossible to combat an addiction to erotic behaviors and activities when you’re clueless about what it looks like. Knowing the signs and symptoms is always the first step towards fixing anything that you don’t like about yourself or a partner.
If you feel like things are getting too out of control, seek a doctor or therapist’s help. Here are the symptoms you need to keep your eyes open for:
- Being Constantly Preoccupied with Thoughts of Sex
If you or your loved one thinks about sex more than the average person your age then you may be experiencing an addiction to it. Being continually distracted by fantasies and daydreams is extremely dangerous, especially if you have major responsibilities to take care of such a work, family, finances or social obligations.
To find out, journal how many times you think about the subject each day and compare that to what experts say is normal for your gender.
- Receiving Complaints from Partners
Have you ever had a partner complain about your inability to stop associating everything with sex? Do you often deal with lovers talking trash because you can’t get your act together or take intimacy seriously?
If so, then you may be experiencing a clandestine addiction to knocking the boots and that can get in the way of a good thing just as much as not having sex at all.
- Hiding Certain Behaviors for Fear of Getting Caught
When was the last time you did something sexual and then hid it from someone you love because you didn’t want to get judged? Some of that might have to do with the perceptions of the people around you, but it may also be a sign that you’re addicted to sex.
If you find yourself being extremely secretive or having to hide behaviors, seek help immediately.
- Experiencing Interference with Personal and/or Professional Matters
Untreated addictions of any kind can be very disruptive to a person’s personal and professional lives.
It can make meeting up with other people an extremely awkward situation, plus it can keep you too distracted to do your job or be productive when required. If you or someone you love can’t balance sexuality with life’s demands, it’s time to do something about it.
- Having Feelings of Being Abnormal
Over time, sex addicts can begin to feel ostracized by the people they love and work with because their thoughts and behaviors make it virtually impossible to interact on any normal level.
Relationships break down, friendships come to an end, and coworkers stop inviting you to their shindigs. When this happens, it’s a good sign that something is wrong with your perceptions and urges as they pertain to sexuality.
- Struggling with an Inability to Change It by Willpower Alone
You’ve tried everything in your power to stop being so addicted to sexual activity but nothing has worked.
You are among the millions of people who struggle with this every single day, meaning you’re not alone and there are effective treatment options available. If you continually fail when trying to beat your compulsions, don’t give up because there are solutions to the problem.
The symptoms of sex addiction can vary widely from one person to another. Still curious about whether you’ve got an issue or not? Take this Sex Addict Quiz for more personalized information.
Effective Treatment Options
Fortunately, the psychological issue has gained much-needed traction over the last few years, leading to numerous effective treatment options being developed and tested on people just like me and you.
As it turns out, beating sex addiction is not as hard as it seems as long as you’re finally done rationalizing these behaviors. Use one of the following techniques to find out for yourself just how easy it is:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Also known as CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of treatment that uses a wide variety of techniques and tools to help an addict change his or her habits. It involves the use of various coping skills which are aligned to reduce undesirable compulsions.
- Prescription Mood Medications
Medicines like Provera (medroxyprogesterone) and Prozac (fluoxetine) are known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They’re generally prescribed to people for depression and anxiety but they can also be used to treat unwanted sexual urges.
- Support Groups
Being involved in groups of like-minded people is a proven way to decrease your obsessive-compulsive behaviors while making friends who can help keep you accountable for the changes you’re trying to make. It may also give you insight on ways to recognize your triggers.
- Individual Counseling
Sometimes, addicts just need someone to talk to who isn’t going to judge or tell everyone they know about what’s being said. Individual counseling, or psychotherapy, can help tremendously because it becomes a safe space to share your woes and discuss customized approaches to the problem.
Being addicted to sex is no joke but it doesn’t have to ruin your life. Seek help if you or someone you know is struggling to enjoy their sexuality in safe, productive and healthy way.